How to Create an Outstanding Common App Activities List (w/ examples)

TL;DR

Learn how to enhance your activities list by using stronger verbs, utilizing the BB's exercise, and conducting a values scan.

Transcript

first one example one you've got a little spot for naming the activity art art club and then you've got a little spot for your description created art and organized club not a very descriptive description right you've got 150 characters here so use them so founder and president ah okay that gives me a sense of the role this is in the second example... Read More

Key Insights

• 👂 The activities list is often overlooked but can make a significant difference in college applications.
• 💪 Using strong verbs in your activities list descriptions provides more detailed information about your involvement and accomplishments.
• 👂 The BB's exercise is an effective tool for generating content and ideas for activities list descriptions and extracurricular activity essays.
• 👂 Conducting a values scan can help you identify and emphasize important values in your activities list.
• 👂 Honesty and integrity are crucial when completing the activities list, and stretching the truth should be avoided.
• 🤑 Students have the option to include all activities or prioritize the most important ones based on their preference.
• 🏆 The awards and honors section of the activities list should prioritize the most significant awards and provide context and explanations for lesser-known acronyms.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why is the activities list important in college applications?

The activities list allows admissions officers to see how a student has self-directed their passions and interests outside of academics, giving insight into their potential fit for a university campus.

Q: How can I improve the content of my activities list?

You can improve your activities list by using stronger verbs that provide a clearer picture of your involvement, utilizing the BB's exercise to generate more detailed descriptions, and conducting a values scan to emphasize important values.

Q: Is it better to include all of my activities or just the most important ones?

It is up to you whether you want to include all of your activities or just the most important ones. Some students prefer to include everything to showcase a comprehensive view of their involvement, while others focus on highlighting the most significant activities.

Q: Should I include one-time events in my activities list?

It is a personal preference whether to include one-time events in your activities list. Some students feel that including them provides a more complete picture of their involvement, while others prefer to focus on activities with more sustained commitment.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The activities list is an important component of college applications that showcases a student's involvement outside of academics.

• Strengthen your activities list by using descriptive and active verbs to provide more information about your role and accomplishments.

• Utilize the BB's exercise to generate content for your activities list by identifying what you did, the problems you solved, the lessons you learned, and the impact you had.

• Conduct a values scan to identify the values that are prominent in your activities list descriptions and make adjustments to emphasize them further.